Berlin Wins 2009 Prince of Asturias Prize for Concord

The last of eight 2009 Prince of Asturias Awards was announced today in Oviedo by D. Vicente Álvarez Areces, President of the Jury. It goes to the city of Berlin, capital of Germany, which this year is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

“The Berlin Wall, symbol of Europe’s reunification of Germany, was for decades the worldwide representation of the Cold War.” With this statement the Jury wants to pay tribute to those who lost their lives or their freedom during the war and also to the millions of citizens who, after the Wall fell, have been capable of constructing, on the scars of the division, an open and creative society, a knot of concord in the heart of Germany and in Europe, which contributes to understanding, coexistence, justice, peace and freedom worldwide.

“The peaceful revolution, which on November 1989 led to the fall of the Berlin Wall and subsequently to the reunification of Germany, has captivated millions of people worldwide, contributing significantly towards the reestablishment of the balance between the East and West,” the jury said in its statement.

Berlin’s candidature has received lot of support letters, one of those from a well known German, Michael Schumacher, 2007 Prince of Asturias Award laureate for Sports. He considers Berlin “a symbol for hope and for overcoming frontiers, and what better compliment can there be. It seems that a very special energy is emerging from out of this town since the wall came down. Everybody who feels it is inspired by it.Berlin’s Mayor Klaus Wowereit said the prize is “an extraordinary honor” and that the city would accept it “in the name of the whole country.”

The next stop for the Prince of Asturias Award will be in Campoamor Theatre in Oviedo on October 23, where the beautiful and touching Presentation Ceremony will take place, presided over by the Prince and Princess of Asturias.

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Tagged Berlin Wall, Germany, Princess of Asturias Awards.